Early Childhood Teachers

Our Early Childhood Teachers engage our youngest students in a play-based approach to learning and exploration, which incorporates the children’s interests as well as their individual needs when planning short and long term activities. Our teachers appreciate the whole child and promote an open dialogue with students so they can identify their own passions and contribute their own ideas.

 

 

Early Childhood

• Mary Franklin

  BA, American Studies & Elementary Education

  MLS, Library & Information Science; CO Licensure w/ endorsements in Elementary & ECE

  Mary relocated to Colorado in 2022 from her hometown of Washington, DC when she began teaching at Ricks. She has worked in Early Childhood classrooms since 2009, both in teaching and administrative roles at schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington state in both play-based and nature-based school settings before joining the Ricks team. Mary studied education, liberal arts, and youth-focused library science at Muhlenberg College and the University of Maryland, and incorporates her interest in diverse children's literature, social-emotional learning, and nature into the classroom. She strongly believes that play, joy, a sense of community, and wonder are the foundation to a successful early childhood classroom. Mary loves being part of the Ricks community at DU and is passionate about building a classroom in which our gifted population is able to explore their areas of interest and hone strengths while also challenging themselves and trying things that feel hard with confidence. In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling, cooking, visiting wacky roadside attractions, reading, and appreciating the beauty of the natural world.

• Mary Gilmore

  BA Phycology

  MA Curriculum and Instruction

  My name is Mary Gilmore.  I am very pleased to be the new Pre K teacher at Ricks.  I have been employed in early childhood education since 1989.   I have my  BA in Psychology from the University of Denver. I have my MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado at Denver. I have found that Early Childhood Education is the most rewarding job imaginable.  I love to sing and dance with children. I like to help families with the beginning of their child first school experience. I have two daughters who have both attended DU. My father was a professor at DU as well. I'm looking forward to being part of the Ricks school community.

• Sarah Howell

  BA, Psychology

  MA, Early Childhood Special Education

  My name is Sarah Howell. I have been in the EC at Ricks since 2017. I have a BA in Psychology and a MA in Early Childhood Special Education. My studies mainly focused on Child Psych/Development and Cognitive Neuroscience, specifically in ages 0-5. I love to stay up to date on current research. My favorite topics to read about are maternal brain changes during pregnancy and postpartum, attachment theory, and best teaching practices, specifically around literacy. My masters capstone project focused on under-representation of twice exceptional students in gifted education programs. When I am not at school, I am spending time with my family. My fiancé and I have a 4 year old named Aleah, and 2 dogs named Gus and Morty. I enjoy cooking, taking the occasional nap, reading, self-care, and spending quality time with my daughter.

• Sha'von Glasper

  I have taught early childhood at Ricks for several years and have worked with children for over 20 years. Through my early childhood coursework, I have received training in project-based and social-emotional learning. My love for children inspires me to continually grow as an educator and deepen my understanding of how young children learn and thrive.

  I am a Colorado native and live with my husband, daughter, and our two cats. I love music and enjoy encouraging others to be their very best in all they do. In my classroom, I strive to create a warm, structured environment where children feel safe, supported, and confident as they develop strong communication skills and a lifelong love of learning.

 

Kindergarten

• Barbara Washington

  Kindergarten Teacher
  B.B.A. in Business Administration 
  M.A.. in Educational Psychology 
  EdD, Curriculum & Instruction Gifted Education  
  Barbara.washington@du.edu

  Dr. Barbara is excited to return to the Ricks Center. She previously taught at multiple levels at Ricks for 12 years, including middle school Science/SETM, before leaving to complete her doctoral research. Gifted education and and gifted students are her passion, starting with her own three children who are now gifted adults. As an educator and advocate of gifted learners she strives to: 
  • Promote real-world problem solving and inquiry based learning 
  • Provide students with choices, interest and ownership in learning 
  • Empower students to express their voices and change the world 
  She looks forward to sharing her background in developing curriculum that incorporates critical and creative thinking with our middle school students. Dr. Barbara enjoys traveling to Greece once a year, watching movies with her family, and creating art when she gets the chance. The mosaic in the school's entryway was a Ricks community art project that Dr. Barbara designed.